Police hit Texarkana streets to combat armed robberies

A Texarkana, Texas officer works the scene of an armed robbery at a Family Dollar store.

TEXARKANA, TX (KSLA) -

A rash of Family Dollar store armed robberies in Texarkana, Texas has prompted law enforcement to hit back. A special unit designed to go after the bandits is now on the streets to keep people safe.

The Texarkana, Texas "Problem Oriented Police" Team (POP) is turning its focus on armed robberies at area Family Dollar stores. Since September, five such stores have been robbed in the Texarkana area.

"It's obvious a problem in more than one city. It has crossed over to other cities, so we have got to work with them to make sure we pass the information back and forth to make sure all have the information they need to solve the problem," says Sgt. Mike Jones, POP Team Commander.

The last robbery occurred Saturday night at a Family Dollar store on South Lake Drive. Two masked armed men armed with a weapon came in and robbed the store and made their getaway by stealing an employee's vehicle. No one was injured, and the vehicle was found a short time later.

"People on the streets tend to know more information on what is going on than we do, and that is how we get a lot of our information from them. A lot of the time, we will come out here on bikes and just talk to people working in their yards and see if they know anything," Jones says.

Police say the POP Team crew will remain on full alert until those responsible for the robberies are caught. But they also say there are things local stores can do to help.

"Have the right equipment in the stores to notify the police. Make sure their employees are trained to give good descriptions of the suspects if their store is robbed," says TTPD Sgt. Steve Shelly.

If you have any information about these robberies, call Texarkana CrimeStoppers at 903-793-7867.

The organization predicted 10 to 16 tropical systems, with five to nine becoming hurricanes. One to four of those hurricanes is predicted to develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or above.

The organization predicted 10 to 16 tropical systems, with five to nine becoming hurricanes. One to four of those hurricanes is predicted to develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or above.